Also, a question came up regarding "strong drink", which appears in the second Tithe Statutes. Strong drink, as mentioned in class, is not meant for consumption, it is used for a drink offering, which is an oblation. Oblations were bloodless offerings, given in the Sanctuary service.
The question is about why would "strong drink" (which indicates alcohol) be used in the Sanctuary... But not every worship item in the Sanctuary is meant for ingestion... The ingredients of Sanctuary holy items all bear a spiritual message, as we saw in the ingredients for anointing oil.
The same is true of "strong drink", poured out in the drink offering... When a drink is alcoholic, in Bible times, it was considered to be "leavened", thus "strong drink" was a leavened drink. Leaven not only represents sin, it also represents righteousness.
Clearly, in the drink offering, which was poured out, the leaven represents righteousness.
As a quick reminder, like the meal offering, the drink offering was offered each morning and evening following the daily sacrifice (Exodus 29: 40-41; Leviticus 23:37; Ezra 7:17 (Genesis 35:14).
The drink offering was a libation of wine (alcohol) - Numbers 28:7; Leviticus 23:13. This represented us - our utter outpouring in joyful surrender to the accomplishment of the Will of God (which Yahshua demonstrated), in thanksgiving to Yahweh for the Gift of the Lamb offering - Phil. 2:17; 2 Tim. 4:6.
But the fact that alcoholic drink offerings were presented in the Sanctuary should not be confused with a message of human alcohol consumption. Drink offerings were not to be drunk. They were poured out - offered. Incense was not to be ingested either... Some elements of Sanctuary service were portraying a spiritual lesson without being meant for human consumption.
As requested, the following is a list of the references in Scripture to strong drink:
Completed worksheets from this class are viewable and printable at the following link:
MAKE-UP SESSION:
As you know, due to a loss of internet, we were unable to have class on Monday, May 6.
As a make-up for this loss of class, we will (based upon the vote taken in today's class) be having a make-up class on Monday, June 3, 2024.
For this reason, the official last day, prior to summer break, for the Torah class will be June 3rd.
TENTATIVE PLANS FOR TORAH CLASS 24-25:
As we all know, the hour is late. As a result, none of us knows how long internet classes can be continued...
But, bearing this reality in mind, after prayerful consideration, I do believe I should set the plans in motion to hold a Torah Class next year also.
Please know, these plans are subject to the Father's Will and Provision. So, tentatively, I am praying about having the following schedule for next year:
From the start of September, 2024 to the end of May, 2025, we would meet online - like this year (as long as possible, and for the whole term if we can) from 10-11 AM (PST) on Mondays and Wednesdays (same schedule as this year).
Pre-registering for this up-coming Torah class means that you and I would keep this schedule and plan in motion for as long as we're able, with the hope of finishing at the end of May.
Because this is a tentative arrangement, prayerfully being undertaken, I would ask that you don't plan to pay for the whole next year in advance... Let's keep this on a month-by-month basis. I certainly don't want to overcharge anyone for classes I cannot provide, nor make promises I cannot keep!
So, for now, I am just taking a poll to see how many of you would like to tentatively pre-register for Torah Class starting on Monday, September 2, 2024 (after the summer break).
Please let me know. Thanks!
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
The following is our class schedule for May-June, 2024:
Mon & Wed, May 27 & 29 - Torah Class will meet, as scheduled, live on Zoom, on both these days.
Mon only, June 3 - Torah Class will meet, as scheduled, live on Zoom, as a special make-up class. This will be our last Torah class for this year.
